CO2 utilization: an enabling element to move to a resource- and energy-efficient chemical and fuel production

CO2 conversion will be at the core of the future of low-carbon chemical and energy industry. This review gives a glimpse into the possibilities in this field by discussing (i) CO2 circular economy and its impact on the chemical and energy value chain, (ii) the role of CO2 in a future scenario of chemical industry, (iii) new routes for CO2 utilization, including emerging biotechnology routes, (iv) the technology roadmap for CO2 chemical utilization, (v) the introduction of renewable energy in the chemical production chain through CO2 utilization, and (vi) CO2 as a suitable C-source to move to a low-carbon chemical industry, discussing in particular syngas and light olefin production from CO2. There are thus many stimulating possibilities offered by using CO2 and this review shows this new perspective on CO2 at the industrial, societal and scientific levels.